Statistics: ‘Sanctuary’ Policies Saw 25K Illegal Immigrants Released from Jails to Streets

A new study is revealing one of the greatest dangers that “sanctuary” cities and states pose to the public: allowing murderers and rapists to roam the streets. The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) analyzed new statistics from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and found that between October 1 of 2022 and February 6 of 2025, over 25,000 illegal immigrants arrested for crimes in “sanctuary” jurisdictions were released back into the public, instead of being handed over to ICE. Of the illegal immigrants released, 72 were charged with or convicted of homicide.

Broken down by state, California led the way by releasing 13,025 illegal immigrants from jails (52% of the 25,283 released nationwide), while Illinois trailed behind at 2,946, followed relatively closely by Virginia at 1,601. Other states that released a high volume of illegal immigrants from jails include Massachusetts (1,324), Connecticut (1,153), New York (873), Minnesota (873), North Carolina (508), Pennsylvania (486), Maryland (384), Colorado (295), New Jersey (239), Kentucky (192), New Mexico (157), Wyoming (155), Indiana (139), and South Carolina (111).

Santa Clara Main Jail in California released a total of 2,981 during the studied period. Cook County Jail in Chicago released 1,804, and Fairfax County Adult Detention Center in Virginia released 1,151. Of the 30 jails that freed the most illegal immigrants, 18 are located in California. Jails in California also let 29 illegal immigrants go with homicide charges or convictions, and Illinois jails released 28. Other jails responsible for releasing illegal immigrants with homicide charges or convictions were located in Arkansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The study’s author and director of policy at CIS, Jessica Vaughan, told The Washington Stand that “sanctuary” policies — which largely shield illegal immigrants from prosecution or investigation on the basis of their noncitizenship and refuse or prohibit cooperation with ICE and other agencies in enforcing federal immigration law — often “attract” illegal immigrants to “sanctuary” jurisdictions.

“When a state or local government provides benefits and services to illegal aliens, it becomes well known among the migrant networks,” Vaughan said. “New York, Boston, and Denver are the latest examples, where we saw thousands of newly-arrived illegal border crossers flock to these cities under the Biden years, because these cities were offering hotel rooms, meals and other services.” She added that “criminal aliens also pay attention to local sanctuary policies, not so much for free hotel rooms, but because they know that they are not going to be turned over to ICE if they are arrested for a local crime, and they discuss this openly with reporters, local detectives, and prosecutors.”

“Sanctuary” cities have proven to be an obstacle for President Donald Trump’s mass deportation program. Just days after Trump returned to the White House, officials in Chicago began working to undermine ICE raids and shield illegal immigrants in the city. When ICE raids hit Los Angeles, the City of Angels erupted in violent riots. So far, Trump and his deputies have filed lawsuits against both Chicago and Los Angeles, two of the three largest “sanctuary” cities in the country, and the state of New York, where officials have implemented “sanctuary” policies.

“Trump has several options to try to discourage or block sanctuary policies, and he is exercising these options,” Vaughan told TWS. “He can bring lawsuits to try to obtain injunctions against these state and local policies. Those lawsuits will take some time to play out, but several have already been initiated, including most recently in Los Angeles.” She continued, “In addition, Trump can withhold certain kinds of federal funding to states and localities that interfere with immigration enforcement, such as by prohibiting cooperation.”

Vaughan noted that the Big Beautiful Bill “included a provision saying that certain grantees for law enforcement funding must comply with a provision in federal law that prohibits policies that block communication and cooperation with federal immigration agencies. Trump should also work with Congress to clarify the legal issues surrounding state and local cooperation with ICE.” She added, “I would also like to see a provision in the law to deny tax-exempt status for bonds issued by sanctuary jurisdictions to finance local spending projects, and one to allow victims harmed by sanctuary policies to sue the state and local government for damages.”

Brandy Perez, a researcher with the Heritage Foundation’s Border Security and Immigration Center, told TWS, “Sanctuary policies prioritize illegal aliens which endangers communities and make Americans pick up the check. By deliberately obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts, local officials politicize public safety and increase the national security risk that illegal immigration poses.” Perez noted that “sanctuary” jurisdictions violate federal law “by refusing to share information with ICE or honor detainers, resulting in the release of dangerous individuals back into American neighborhoods. President Trump can push back by revoking federal funds for sanctuary states and enforcing mandatory detention…” She emphasized, “Sanctuary jurisdictions should be held accountable for their dangerous policies that upend public safety and undermine federal law.” Perez added, “State legislatures must also bring their statutes to level with federal immigration code, and ban sanctuary policies, to prevent any of their political subdivisions or law enforcement agencies from shielding illegal aliens.”

AUTHOR

S.A. McCarthy

S.A. McCarthy serves as a news writer at The Washington Stand.

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